Gallery of the Masters Fine Art Gallery

Sir William Allan

1782-1850 Scotland-Romanticism

Brief Biography-Sir William Allan was from Edinburgh; his first experience with brushes was with the painting of coaches as an apprentice. He later studied with David Wilkie and other now notable Scottish artists at the Trustee's Academy. He joined the Royal Academy in London for studies before eventually travelling to Russia. There he managed by painting portraits on his way to Moscow from where he went on to explore the Ukraine. He returned to Edinburgh in 1814, his work gained attention from the Royal Academy and with the help of some Scottish authors of the time could sell some of his work. He became master of the Trustee's School Edinburgh before travelling to Italy and other hot countries for health reasons. He eventually became President of the Royal Scottish Academy and Painter and Limner which gained him a knighthood. He continued his travels abroad visiting Germany, France and Russia again before dying in Edinburgh in 1850.